He and several other residents noticed the prices at the pump in New Lenox were noticeably higher compared to other nearby cities. For instance, a gallon of gasoline at the local BP in New Lenox costs $4.19, but the same brand in nearby Frankfort only costs $4.07 a gallon.

Baldermann said the gas companies told him the prices were set according to the local competition and couldn’t be moved as long as the competition remained so high. So Baldermann asked his citizens not to give the local gas stations any more money until the price drops to a more comparable rate.

He said,

The only way we can send a clear message to the companies is for our residents to shop elsewhere.

So far, it seems that citizens are more than willing to drive a few extra miles for gasoline. In fact, one resident Katie O’Connor said she’s already started going to nearby towns up to 12 miles away just for a fill-up.